Flume.



c. c. FOUTS & A. A. AMBLER.

FLUME.

APPLICATION FILED JAN-15,1915.

Patented Mar. 21,1916.

AMAMMMQ 'rmt coLummA PLANOGRAPH cn.. WASHING-TUN, n. c,

sra'ras Partnr orifice.

onnvnv o. ViaoU'rs .ann ARTHUR s. AMBER. oaiyrrnnnnrrown, -omo,AssIGNons :ro lcarin o. rows company, orlvrrnnnnfrown, toi-iro, a.conronafrron or cielo.

BLUME ,specifeaiion of Lederwaren. ,Patented Mar. 21, L191e.

yApplication ledrlanuary 15, 1915. SeralNn. 2,331.

T0. allfwtom t may concern.'

Be 1t knownthat we, CALVIN GHFOUTS and ARTHUR A. AMBLER, citizens ,ofthe -United States, residing at Middletown, in

the `county of Butler' and State of Ollio, have invented certain new anduseful Improvements in Flumes, of which the following is aspecification, reference being had Vfew parts and ,having these parts ofsuch a character that the `structure as a whole `may` be manufactured ata -low cost.

. A further object `of the `invention is lto provide a sectionalstructure of this kind in which-the sections may beconnected one to Vtheother without bending or changing the shape of the body portion thereof,thus avoidineinjurv tothe galvanized surface, where sheet metal is used.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved means forsupporting a sheet metal-structureof this kind.

'In the accompanying drawings, Figure l is a side elevation, partlvbroken away, of a portion of a fiume constructed in accordance withourinvention; Fig".` 2 isa transverse sectional view taken on the line a aof Fig. l; Fis. 3-is an enlarged section of the upper portion of oneside of Vthefstructure shown in Fig. 2; Fig. 4 is a sectional view,taken on the line -b b of Fi'r. l: Fig. 5 is a perspective detail viewof the pressure plate; Vand Fig. 6 is a `horizontal section Vtaken onthe line c c vof Fig. 8.

In these drawing-s we have illustrated one embodiment of our inventionand have shown the same as applied to a fiume comprising a series ofsections having their ad- 'jacent ends overlapping. In the-presentinstance all ofthe section-s are formed of sheet metal. preferablygalvanized iron. although it -will be obvious that a part orl all of thesections may be formed of other material.

Each .ofthelsections of the Hume, which are shown at l, is trough-shapedand, inthe present instance, is substantially semicircular `1n crosssection. As'here shown each trough-like section constitutes a part ofthe conducting surface of the fiume, but this is not essential, as apart of the sections may be connecting devices between other sections.The flume vis set at a slight, angle to cause the fluid to flow readilydown the same and the lower end of each upper section thereof Aoverlapsand lies within the upper end of theinext lower section thereof. To forma tight joint between the two sections and to accomplish this withoutbending or changing the shape of the ends ofthe sections and without theuse of clamping rods, `bars or the like, we have provided means to exertpressure on one of the sections in such a man-ner as torcause it topress 4firmly against the overlapping portion of the other section,therebv forming' a joint which will be tight Vand which will oder noobstruction to the flow ofthe water except a slight fall over the en dof the inner section and this fall being .only for the thickness of thesheet metal, or other material, is so small that it has no .appreciableeffect upon the flow of the-water. `While thispressure mav be appliedsin various ways wehave, in the present drawings, illustrated one formof device which is Averv efficient. As here shown the connection is madebv providing pressure devices Vat the opposite lateral edges of theoverlapping portirns of the sections. which pressure .devices areconnected with the JV outer section and are arranf'ed toact uponthelinner section to force the same toward and into firm engagement withthe outer secticn throughout the vwidth of the sections between the twopressure devices, the pressure on the edges of the inner section beingdirected substantiallv -in line with the respective upper .portions ofsaid sections, so

Y that there is no tendencvfto spring;- the sheets apart or distort thesame. To accomplish this -we have provided Athe sections in their upperlateral portions -withsockets adapted to receive a bolt 2 which-issoconnected with the outer section .as to lbe held normally againstvertical movement relativelvthereto but which is disconnected fromthe'inner section so 'that the latter is free to move lengthwisethereof. In the present instance the adjacentnpperportions 4of thetwozsections are provided with opposed grooves 3 and -fl which, when thetwo sectionsare their assembled positions form a socket for the bolt.The grooved portion i of the outersecton is of less length than thegroovfed portion 3 of the inner section and. the outer section isprovided'with an/ope'ning at the lower end of the groove 4, therebypermitting the lower edge of the grooved portion of the section to forma stop against which the head of the bolt 2 engages and which serves tohold the bolt against vertical movement relatively to the outer section.To enable the bolt to he placed in position without interfering with thevertical movement of the inner section we have cut away one side of thehead of the bolt, but obviously other means could be provided whichwould permit of the necessary movement of the inner section relativelyto the bolt, which movement is very slight. The grooves and apertureentering into the construction of Vthe socket may be formed in anysuitable manner, as by pressing them into the sheet metal.`

Y Mounted upon the upper end of the bolt 2 Vandnoverlapping the upperedges of the two sectionsA of thev structure is a pressure plate orwasher-5 which engages the upper edge of the inner section, which,because of the overlapping arrangement of the sections, projects a'short distance above the adjacent portion of the outer section. A nutk6 is screw-tlireaded onto the outer end of the bolt and serves to forcethe clamping plate downward and thus press the inner section firmlyagainst the overlapping portion of the outer section.l Preferably, thepressure plate isU-shaped in cross section, as shown in Figs. 3 and 5,this construction serving both to hold the plate in its proper positionrelative to the edges of the two sections and alsov serving to preventthe lateral displacement of the upper portion ofthe sections themselves.In the present construction we have shownone of these adjustable'pressure devices Vat each lateral edge of the Y flume but it will beunderstood that an adjustable pressure device may be applied to one edgeonly lof the Hume and a fixed pressure device or stop applied to theother edge t and. that the adjustment of the adjustable device willexert the desired pressure on the overlapping portion of the innersection and that i this pressure will be distributed throughout thewidth of the section.V The pressure device here shown constitutes such afixedstop when itis applied to one side of the'flume and all thepressure on the inner section is secured by the adjustment of the deviceon the other side of the flume. However, the Ypresent adjustablepressure device is soinexnensive in its construction that itispreferahle to'use one on' each side of the tlume,as this simplifiesthe assembling and connection of the sections.V It Vwill vbe notedthattoassemble the flume or other structure it is only necessary to placethe sections in their overlapping'positions,gthe groovesY '3 and 4having been previouslyV formed therein.` As soon as these grooves havebeen brought into registration to form the socket the bolt 2 may beinserted in the socket, the outer section being bent inward to provide arecess, as shown at 7, to facilitate the insertion of the bolt. Eitherbefore or after the bolt is inserted the pressure plate 5 is placed. inposition and theV nutV issthen applied to the end of the bolt and onelor both nutsV will quickly fill up any small spaces or open-V ings whichmayeXist and make 'thejoint a perfectly water tight'one. If desired, a

layer of oilor white lead may 'be applied to the overlapping portions ofthe two sections.

When the structure isused to contain or`V conduct certain fluids,however it is desirable that a sealing agent should be einployed and wehave therefore shown the.V

outer section, in Fig. 1, as provided Vwith a shallow groove 8, which isnot deep eno'ugh nor thecornersthereof sharp enough to injure thegalvanized surface of the metal,

and Vin this groove we haveA shown a cement V10, which may be `of anysuitable character. supported on Fluines are commonly wooden trestlesorframes and for this purpose vwe Yhave provided the structure 'onV`either side with a series of brackets 11 which are rigidlvsecuredto theupper lateral portions of theiseveralsections Aand are adapted to besecured to the supporting frame. To,

provide a strong rigidV connection between the bracket and the flume theysection to which the bracket is to be attached is prof vided with aboss 12, the lower portion of which forms a shoulder extending outwardlyfrom the upper portion of the section, Where thedevice is formed ofsheet metal, as inthe present instance` this boss also forms a recesstoreceive the head 13 of a fasteningbol'tlll which extends through ,boltholes in the boss and a downwardly extendingportion l5 of the'bracket,The head 13 is square and the bottom'surface of the recess is flat,whereby when said recessreceives the head thelatter is prevented from irotating and is securely connected to' the bracket v11 by means of itsnu t.f rlfhis downwardly extendingV portion of the' bracketis4 alsorecessed, as shown at 16. to receive the boss 1 2 aii'd to provideashoulder which wilt coperate' 'with the 'shoulder of the boss.V

When the bolt is inposition and its ,nut jhas been tightened rdownthebracket is rigidly secured to the Wall of the section and the `veightiscarried by the interlocking bosses of the bracket and thevlume section,thus relieving thebolts oi' the strain and avoiding any tendency onthepart of the bolts to shear. While We have shown the boss as a means ofattaching a s heet vmetal bracket to the flume it Will be apparent thatthe shoulder which is formed by theboss may copeiate\vith a bracketofanykind or that it may coperate directly with the -Wooden traine, in Whichlatter case anail or screw Will be substitutedi'or thebolt.

We v,are -avvare that sectional ,flames have beenV provided in which theends of adjacent sections overlap and are provided with grooves toreceive a clamping rod, but this l constructionhas been Jfound tobeobjection able because of the necessity of using a clamping rod on the`inside of the ume which makesit impossible to provide a smoothcontinuous surface and which further requires a distorting of thesections with the consequent liability of injuring the galvanizedsurface ofthe metal.

While-ive have shown and described 4one 'embodiment of `our invention itWill be understood that this has been chosen for the purposes ofillustration only and that We do not desire tobe limited to thedetailsof construction -shoivn and described, for obvious modificationswill occur'to a person skilled -in `the art. j Y

Having thus fully described our inven-Y tion, what we claim as new anddesire to secure by Letters Patent, is

l. In a structure of the .character described, the combination, withtrough-like sections having theirV adjacent ends overlapped, of aconnecting member arranged betiveenthe upper edges ot said overlappingportions ot' said sections and projecting above said edges, saidYconnecting member being held against longitudinal movement in onedirection relatively to said outer section, and a. pressure plateadjustably mounted on said connecting meinberand arranged to engage theupper edge of the inner seotion and exert pressure thereon insubstantial alinement therewith. l

2. In a structure of the character described, the combination, Vwithtrough-like sections having their adjacent ends overlapped, of aconnecting member arranged between the upper edges of said overlappingportions of said sections and projecting above'said edges,saidconnecting member being held against longitudinal movement in onedirection relatively to said outer section, a pressure plate mounted forlongitudinal movement on said connecting member and arranged to engagethe upper edge ot the inner section, and means carried by said scribed,the combination, with trough-like sections having their adjacent endsoverlapped, of a bolt arranged between thev upper edges of theoverlapping portions of said Asections and projecting above saidsections, said bolt being held against longitu i dinal movement in anupward direction relatively to said outer section, a pressure plateloosely mounted on said connecting member and arranged to engage theupper edge of the inner section, and a nut mounted on said bolt tofi'orceV said pressure plate against the upper edge of said innersection.

4l. In a structure of the character described, the combination, Withtrough-like sections having their adjacent edgesoverlapped, of aconnecting member arranged betiveenthe upper edges ot said overlappingportions oi said sections and projecting above said edges, saidconnecting member and said outer section having cooperating parts tohold said connecting member against upward movement relatively tosaidouter section, and a pressure plate adjustably `mounted on .saidconnecting member and arranged to engage the upper edee of saidinnersectionand exert pressure thereon in substantial alineinent therewith.

5. In a structure of the character described, the combination, withtroughlike sections having their adjacent ends overlapped, a connectingmember arranged between the upper edges of said overlapping portions ofsaid sections and projecting above said edges,the outer section havingan opening adjacent to said connecting member and said connectingmemberhaving a lateral projection entering saidlopening and serving toholdsaid connecting member against up- Ward movement, and a pressure plateadjustably mounted on said connecting mem- I.

ber and having depending portions to enibracethe upper portions of saidsections.

6. In a structure of the character described, the combination, withtrough-like sections having their adjacent ends `overlapped, of a boltsecured to the upper portion of the outer section and extending abovethe edge thereof in substantial alinenient therewith. a pressure platemounted on said bolt and capable of movement longitudinally thereof, andmeans carried by said bolt to force said pressure plate against theupper edge of the inner section.

7. In a structure of the character described, the combination, Withtrough-like sections having theirradjacent ends overlapped, oi a boltconnected with the upper portion of the outer section and projectingabove the upper edge thereof in substantial alinement with the upperportion thereof, a

pressure plate substantially U-sliaped, in cross section'and arranged toembrace the upper portions of the two sections and to rest upon theupper edge of the inner section, anda nut on'said bolt to press saidplate into engagement with the upper edge of said inner section. Y

8. In a structure of the character described, tlie combination, withtrough-like sections having their adjacent ends overlapped, theoverlapped portions of said sections having opposed grooves arranged atsubstantially right angles tothe edges of said sections and the outersection having a part forming a stop, of a bolt mounted in said groovesbetween said sections with its head in engagement with said stop, apressure plate mounted-on said bolt and extending across the upper edgeof the inner section, 'and a nut mounted on said bolt above the pressureplate.

Vso

9. In a structure of the character described, the combination, withtrough-like sections having their adjacent ends over# lapped, theoverlapping portions of said sections having opposed grooves arranged atsubstantially right angles to the lateral edges thereof and adapted toform a socket between said sections, of a bolt mounted in said socket,the outer section having an aperture near the lower end of its groove topermit the insertion of said bolt and to form a shoulder to engage thehead of said bolt and limit the upward movement thereof relatively tosaid outer section, the inner secf tion being free to move relatively tosaid bolt, a'pressure plate mounted on said bolt in engagement with theupper ,edge of the inner section, and a nut mounted on .said bolt abovesaid pressure plate.

l0. In a structure of the character'described, the combination, withtrough-like sections having their adjacent ends overlapped, tlieoverlapping portions of said sections having opposed grooves arranged atsubstantially right angles to the lateral edges thereof and adapted toform a socket, ofa bolt mounted in said socket, the outer section havingan aperture near the lower endV of its groove to` permit the insertionof said bolt and to forma shoulder to engage theV head of said bolt andlimit the upward movement thereof relativelyto said outer section, theinnerV section being free. to move rela-` tively to said bolt, apressure plate substantially U-shapediii cross section mounted on Y saidbolt and having its side vportions ein-` bracing tlie upper edges of thetwo sections,

and a nut mounted on said bolt toV force saidV pressure plate againsttlie-upper edge of the:

inner section. Y

v ll. A sheet metal flume orY the like-having a bossstruck out therefromnear the upper edge thereof, said boss constituting a recess ing throughsaid apertures, said head ex- Y tending into the first-mentionedVVrecess,

whe'rebysaid bracket and flume are fastened' together and the boltispreventedV from ro: tating in said apertures. I

12. In afs'tructurev ofthecharacter de# scribed, the combination, withtrough-likesectionshaving their adjacent edges overlapped, anddevicesconnected with the over- Y lapping portions `of the respective Asectionsto keep the said sections in engagement with.

each other, of supporting devices rigidly securedto the respectivesections between the ends thereof, said supporting devices comprisingbosses struck outward from the sec tions of a fiume near the upperedges` thereof, supporting bracketsfliaving depending portions providedwith recesses Yto receive said bosses, said bosses and the walls of saidrecesses forming coperating shoulders, said bosses and said bracketshaving apertures,

and bolts extending through 'said apertures to fasten'said brackets tosaid fiume.

In testimony whereof, we aiiix our signae tures in presence of twowitnesses.

' CALVIN CQFOUTS. ARTHUR AIAMBLER. `Witnessesz Y 1 W. T. HARRISON,MARGARET ENRIGHT.

Copies of this patent may` be obtained for ve cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner ofllaitents,V

Washington, D. C.

